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The turning point of solidarity in Europe: “A thousand euros for each refugee and free means of transport”

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The turning point of solidarity in Europe: “A thousand euros for each refugee and free means of transport”

BRUSSELS – “It is clear that our resources and reception capacities will not be sufficient to cope with the growing influx of people. This is particularly true in the long term. However, the current situation is also dramatic and demonstrates the urgent need for rapid solutions to European level”. The request for help this time comes from Germany and Poland. Obviously it concerns Ukrainian refugees. A real retaliation. Because it completely calls into question the approach followed up to now on migration policies. And everything was put in black and white in a letter that the interior ministers of the two countries, Nancy Faeser and Mariusz Kaminski, sent to the European Commission three days ago. And in particular to the two commissioners dealing with this emergency: the Greek Margaritis Schinas and the Swedish Ylva Johansson.

In the hub where the Ukrainian diaspora begins: “Give us another life”

by our correspondent Brunella Giovara


It is based on an economic request: € 1,000 for each refugee hosted. Legal: free transport to leave the country of “first landing”. And politics: because it brings back into play the infamous plan for asylum and migrants blocked for over a year by some governments such as the Polish one and the PNRR funds that have been frozen for Warsaw.

This will be the subject of the European Council of Interior Ministers which is meeting today in Brussels. The summit will have to give the green light to the German-Polish proposal as well as make operational the indications formulated last week by the European Commission. The Union’s orientation is certainly not contrary. It is difficult, after making the Temporary Protection Directive operational for the first time in 20 years, to oppose the appeal launched by Berlin and Warsaw. Moreover, the weight of Germany in these events is never secondary. Although there will have to be a reflection on the amount of aid and the political consequences. But the emotional wave caused by the war in Ukraine is still a relevant factor.

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On Wednesday, the Commission made available an additional € 3.5 billion. This will be the basis on which the owners of the EU interior will start the discussion today. But it is clear that the project brought to their attention will require more effort. The idea, in fact, is to provide one thousand euro “flat rate” every six months for each refugee hosted. There are already almost 4 million refugees. But just as many are the displaced. In short, these 3.5 billion will not be enough. The largest share would go to Poland which sails towards the three million refugees and therefore would receive three billion euros. The ranking of the countries most involved, according to Commissioner Johansson, also includes Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic and Estonia. “Extraordinary events – write the two ministers – require extraordinary measures, thinking outside the box and greater operational coordination”.

But there is the second point that must be considered: transport. Which would basically be an “incentive” for de facto redistribution. Refugee status allows you to move freely in every country, there is no “first landing” rule that has burdened Italy, Spain and Greece in the past. The idea of ​​a “redistribution” is legally inapplicable. So Berlin and Warsaw ask that a formula be introduced to inform (“inform and advise”) refugees of the possibility of going to another country and above all that there is a substantially free transport system for these trips. “The solidarity platform – reads the letter – should support the management and organization of arrivals and the definition of possible agreements on a well-structured transport of refugees within the EU, where possible using transport hubs to organize travel by train, bus and plane “.

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The Italian plan

Up to 30 euros per day per refugee. Here is the aid to the host families

by Alessandra Ziniti


But the German and Polish project is not without consequences for other emergencies. And in the letter there is a clear reference to “solidarity in the context of our common asylum system”. It is clear that some Member States such as Italy will take such a step in exchange for guarantees on the Asylum and Migrants Plan which has been locked in a drawer for 18 months. Furthermore, the sentence with which the appeal closes cannot fail to recall what happened in recent years on Italian, Spanish or Greek beaches: “We believe that now is the time to show concrete European support not only for e between Member States, but also towards Ukraine and its citizens “.

Finally, there is one last aspect. Which is not formally contained in the letter but which has already become the subject of discussion within the Commission. And it’s about the Recovery fund. If, as is likely to happen, this financial aid is granted, is it possible to continue to keep the NRP funds frozen for Poland? A sensitive issue: that money was “suspended” due to the lack of respect for the “rule of law”, that is, the basic rules of European democratic coexistence. But, at this point, it will be difficult not to unblock those funds as well. And will this also affect Hungary?

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